Canada has officially recorded more than two million cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, as healthcare workers prepare for a possible high after the holiday season, caused by the highly contagious variant Omicron.
The Government of Canada’s website indicates that the total number of cases was 2,000,976 by Boxing Day. The account had not been updated during the holiday season.
As high as the official numbers are, analysts believe the true number of infections is likely much higher. Several provinces have asked people to get tested only if they have symptoms, as hospitals and testing centers have reached their limits.
Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba each reported thousands of additional cases on Monday, prompting renewed concern about the ability of their health systems to handle an influx of patients.
Linda Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, said the spike in cases is typically seen two weeks after exposure to the virus, and expressed concern that holiday gatherings could overwhelm hospitals soon. .
“We are all preparing for it with fear, and with our fingers and toes crossed,” she said in an interview on Monday.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé has urged people to reduce contact after the province saw hospitalizations increase by more than 140 over a four-day period. Quebec has reported 8,231 new cases.
Minister Dubé wrote on Twitter that 320 people were admitted to the hospital while 179 were released between December 22 and 26. He noted that admissions were on the rise, with 93 people entering hospital on Boxing Day alone.
Ontario has reported 9,418 new cases of COVID-19, which is slightly lower than the record numbers on Christmas Day.
Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott announced 480 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, while the number in intensive care rose to 176.
Nova Scotia health officials have reported an outbreak to the Halifax Infirmary at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center.
They did not give details of the number of patients who tested positive, but said less than five had been affected. Nova Scotia has recorded 581 new cases of COVID-19.
Manitoba has reported eight new deaths among people with COVID-19 since the last report on Christmas Eve, as well as 2,154 new cases, with 675 counted on Monday.
The province said in a press release that about 75% of all COVID-19 cases in Manitoba are now suspected to be due to the Omicron variant.
Ms Silas said she feared the variant would exacerbate the already existing nursing shortage, especially if infected nurses do not have time to stay home and recover.
All Canadian families should receive free rapid tests to help curb the spread, she suggested.
Earlier Monday, Manitoba announced it would make take-out rapid tests available at provincial testing centers.
Health and Seniors Minister Audrey Gordon said in a statement that most symptomatic and fully vaccinated people who visit screening sites will receive a rapid home test and will not be invited. to return for a PCR test only if the result is positive.
The changes will be “phased in,” she said.